Catch‐and‐release (C&R) angling is often used to maintain high catch rates but fish vulnerability to capture may decrease following hooking, thereby decreasing angler catch per unit effort (CPUE) (hyperdepletion). To determine if fish post‐capture response affected recapture probability and population‐level CPUE, individual capture histories of Largemouth Bass in two lakes were compared before and after doubling angling effort in a Before‐After Control‐Impact (BACI) analysis. Previous capture and day‐of‐season both affected recapture probability. Counteracting effects of previous capture and reduced late‐season catch rates caused no hyperdepletion of angler CPUE. Our results highlight the complexity of fish behavioral responses to angling and suggest that hyperdepletion of angling catch rates may not be an issue in C&R fisheries.
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Abstract Widespread and increasing use of road deicing salt is a major driver of increasing lake chloride concentrations, which can negatively impact aquatic organisms and ecosystems. We used a simple model to explore the controls on road salt concentrations and predict equilibrium concentrations in lakes across the contiguous United States. The model suggests that equilibrium salt concentration depends on three quantities: salt application rate, road density, and runoff (precipitation minus evapotranspiration). High application combined with high road density leads to high equilibrium salt concentrations regardless of runoff. Yet if application can be held at current rates or reduced, concentrations in many lakes situated in lightly to moderately urbanized watersheds should equilibrate at levels below currently recommended thresholds. In particular, our model predicts that, given 2010–2015 road salt application rates, equilibrium chloride concentrations in the contiguous United States will exceed the current regulatory chronic exposure threshold of 230 mg L−1in over 2000 lakes; will exceed 120 mg L−1in over 9000 lakes; and will be below 120 mg L−1in hundreds of thousands of lakes. Our analysis helps to contextualize current trends in road salt pollution of lakes, and suggests that stabilization of equilibrium chloride concentrations below thresholds designed to protect aquatic organisms should be an achievable goal.
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Abstract In this essay, we explore the idea that slow social change may cause degradation of the open access equilibrium in recreational fisheries. An existing bioeconomic model illustrates how three social quantities in the recreational fisheries social–ecological system—the marginal cost of fishing effort, catchability, and the relative importance of catch and effort to angler utility—influence equilibrium fish abundance. We speculate that slow directional changes in all three of these quantities may be common, driving gradual declines in abundance that may be difficult to detect. We present limited evidence in support of this speculation, highlight the need for further empirical work, and discuss the implications of slow social change for resilient management of recreational fisheries in a changing world.
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null (Ed.)Recreational fisheries are social-ecological systems (SES), and knowledge of human dimensions coupled with ecology are critically needed to understand their system dynamics. Creel surveys, which typically occur in-person and on-site, serve as an important tool for informing fisheries management. Recreational fisheries creel data have the potential to inform large-scale understanding of social and ecological dynamics, but applications are currently limited by a disconnect between the questions posed by social-ecological researchers and the methods in which surveys are conducted. Although innovative use of existing data can increase understanding of recreational fisheries as SES, creel surveys should also adapt to changing information needs. These opportunities include using the specific temporal and spatial scope of creel survey data, integrating these data with alternative data sources, and increasing human dimensions understanding. This review provides recommendations for adapting survey design, implementation, and analysis for SES-focused fisheries management. These recommendations are: (1) increasing human dimensions knowledge; (2) standardization of surveys and data; (3) increasing tools and training available to fisheries scientists; and (4) increasing accessibility and availability of data. Incorporation of human dimensions information into creel surveys will increase the ability of fisheries management to regulate these important systems from an integrated SES standpoint.more » « less